Just like the other Zac Brown Band members, music has been a part of Jimmy De Martini’s life – the group’s fiddle player and backing singer. But what sets him apart is that his parents didn’t play any instruments. Still, he grew up with music always around the household – even when they were in the car.
De Martini remembers his mother cleaning the house, playing The Beatles. Meanwhile, his father played a lot of British rock – such as The Police, Led Zeppelin, and Dire Straits. And these have been his biggest influences.
His love for music grew deeper when he attended middle school, where he was introduced to the violin, learned to read sheet music, and eventually started playing it. However, he knew in his heart that he belonged to a band, not an orchestra – so he started teaching himself to play guitar on the side.
After high school, De Martini moved to Athens, Georgia, to attend the college University of Georgia – but it was short-lived as he joined his first band, The Hill, which introduced him to the recording process, touring, and songwriting.
Then The Greatest Opportunity of His Life Found Him
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After The Hill had run its course, Jimmy De Martini found himself looking for the next opportunity – one after another.
Then the biggest break came his way while playing in a small bar where then bartender, Zac Brown‘s frequent songwriting collaborator, Wyatt Durrette, asked him if he knew Brown. The Atlanta-based singer has already started making a name for himself around town, so De Martini made sure to grab the chance to play a gig in a sports bar with him.
After doing several performances with the band at the club, De Martini became a permanent member. Later, bass guitarist John Hopkins joined the band, and the Zac Brown Band was born.
De Martini can’t help but feel fortunate to be with some of the best musicians in the world.
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